Happy Halloween Everybody!

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Scholarship Info from Wednesday's Sherbrooke Record

Champlain’s Theresa Allore Scholarship is bitter sweet for brother

The sands of time and the winds of change have a way of lessening a heart’s pain and diluting horrific losses, but for John Allore the worry and anguish over the disappearance of his sister (Theresa Allore) in 1978 followed by the gruesome discovery of her partially clothed lifeless body in a Compton field that spring of ‘79 has infused his life.

But, despite it all he is now capable of saying: ‘I have no issues with the past’.“I’m tired,” said Allore from his North Carolina home Monday evening. “I’m not a hateful person and I don’t have it in my heart to blame anymore. Personally, I would say (Theresa’s) death has cost me my marriage, but I weathered that. This special collaboration with Champlain (College) is an encouraging and healing turn of events.”

Theresa was last seen at her Champlain Regional College dormitory that unforgettable day in November and her death, according to Lennoxville police at the time, was ruled a drug-related suicide, a theory that was accepted by the College. The Allores, however, refused to believe the conclusion and took it upon themselves in 2002 to begin their own investigation. John’s search for answers and several high profile media reports prompted police to declare the death a murder. His sister’s autopsy proved no trace of drugs, illicit or otherwise, and though Montreal Surete du Quebec later officially reopened the case it remains unsolved to this day.

The College’s reluctance to support the family or give assistance in the murder investigation caused resentment for John. That is, until last month when a treaty and combined effort was forged, by way of a scholarship in the memory of the promising student that will immortalize her.

“A year ago I sent a letter to Gerry Cutting (then Champlain director general) suggesting some kind of cooperation like this,” stated Allore, “I explained to him that I harboured no resentment or ill will with the past, or Champlain. Today I feel the issue of Theresa’s death as it concerns Champlain has been thoroughly vetted and I have no wish to continue looking back. I just wanted to do something good in the name of my sister for the future. I offered (Cutting) an olive branch and I fully expected (Champlain) to reject it as so many ill feelings had passed between us. To my surprise he emailed me back and said it was a good idea.”

Since Allore’s attempt to bury the past, but never his sister’s memory, Cutting has retired from his position but his successor; Kenneth Robertson has stepped forward with the initiative and according to Allore has helped throw it into fruition.

“Ken has been a prince,” stated Allore who has let go of accusations and contempt. “I had a great time when I was there (end of September to work on logistics and announce the initiative publicly) and they gave me a Champlain pin, which I’m wearing right now. I know that a pin isn’t really a big deal for some people, but for me, in this case I wear it very proudly.”

Robertson explained the Memorial Fund. “While we have struggled for many years with the tragic loss of a young life filled with a spirit of adventure, it has come the time to celebrate her life so that Theresa may inspire others,” Robertson announced. “There is no doubt in the hearts of those who had the privilege to share in her all too short life that this is exactly how Theresa would want to be remembered. We ask that you consider donating to the Theresa Allore Memorial Fund, so that we can continue to celebrate her life by encouraging a worthy student.”

Theresa has been described as energetic, compassionate, a good student, a music lover, as well as a social studies pupil, but Allore says the criteria for the scholarship remains broad. Students with campus and community involvement, good grades and a financial need are all worthy candidates for the first scholarship, which is to be awarded in spring, but how much will depend on how much support the Fund garners.

“We’ve raised around $3,500 and our goal is $20,000. We hope to have collected $5 to $10,000 by Christmas so that we can award hopefully $500 (the interest accumulated) in the spring,” Allore states. “It’s good for the soul to support things like this. It's a wonderful gift to the people of the Townships, I want everyone to share in the creation of the endowment for future students. People should know that it’s the $5, $10’s and $15 donations that make all the difference.”

The once devastated now revitalized brother says that visiting the Townships now, as opposed to his previous visits filled with frustration and furiousness has opened his eyes. In fact, he says the fall walks along the Lakes and community gatherings have never been so beautiful.With a renewed sense of inspiration and a continued support by AFPAD (l’Association des Familles de Personnes Assassinées ou Disparues du Québec)’s Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, Allore says he maintains an overwhelming need to never forget.

“I’m still holding out that we will find Theresa’s murderer,” concluded Allore, who has also vowed to bury the hatchet with police. “Yeah, it’s hard not to. I feel like the moment I stop caring this case will go dormant again. I need to come (to the Townships) once a year to keep the case fresh and alive in (SQ)’s mind. It will be my job for the rest of my life. To the SQ’s credit; when I ask them to look into something they do, but to their discredit; they are not very proactive. I suggested knocking on doors. They said, ‘we did Mr. Allore. 30 years ago’. There’s no creativity there, but I have come to terms with the fact that the older the case gets the harder it is to solve.”

Don't Fear The Reaper

If I offended anyone, I'm sorry. But I would ask people to separate a fascination with the theatrical macabre from the reality of murder.

Sweeney is a fictional character, and I find it fitting and appropriate to "exorcise the demon" by poking fun at his menace. Ghost stories can't hurt you. Real horror stems from something more threatening and mundane.

And Theresa loved Halloween, so I choose to honor it by inhabiting the boogeyman.

If you've read this blog for the last 5 years you will know that has always been my way.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

30 hours with Pierre Hugues Boisvenu

I arrive at the airport in Montreal at 3:30. I have only carry-on and clear customs quickly so I'm actually out the front door of Pierre Elliot Trudeau at precisely 3:30. Pierre is there, we get in his car and drive directly to the main offices of the Surete du Quebec.

Montreal, is there anything more beautiful?

Small talk about Pierre's Association, AFPAD and the upcoming Federal election. Traffic is horrible as most of Montreal's roads are being reconstructed. Delays everywhere. Fortunately Pierre has a GPS and we arrive at the SQ front door at 4:15, Benoit is waiting at the front for us.Parthenais: My favorite street

A quick scan through security, then up the the 4th floor offices. At the elevator there's a poster on the bulletin board for the Association, and the walls are lined with historic photographs of the SQ. I think, "Christ, can I just stay here and look at these?" Ben gives us a boardroom, from the rear door enter Martin Hibert, director of cold cases, and his boss Roberto Bergeron director of major crimes. Under normal circumstances this would be quite intimidating, but I've got Pierre. In fact most of the initial conversation centers around Pierre and what's going on locally. The SQ is set to begin an initiative next year where all 15 offices in the regions will have a paid victims' representative on staff, Pierre wants to know how this is progressing; this is more important than anything having to do with one cold case.

The Headquarters of the Surete du Quebec at Parthenais

So what do me and the SQ talk about? I could write a book on what we talked about. But I'm not going to through stones. Let's say this: Theresa's case is cold and the police need fresh leads, unless people come forward to the police, this case won't get solved. We need to get lucky. When we talk "cold case strategy" it's difficult to see what the unit is doing differently from anyone else. I'm told the unit has three techniques: DNA analysis (we can scratch that one), the use of polygraph testing for interrogation, and paid informants. beyond this, I guess they check data bases. Anyway, I digress, I stress the need for the SQ to properly and thoroughly investigate Theresa's case, but it's hard to make your point when the police are completely satisfied with the job they've done up to now. Also, technically, the SQ still consider Theresa's case a suspicious death, not foul-play or murder. Bottom line: more evidence, people please come forward.

A Buddhist temple in the shadow of the SQ HQ: I'm thinking this is good karma

Before leaving Roberto offers us a tour of the cold case unit, which is generous. Behind the curtain? Nothing special. Agents sitting around computers, lockers, some old newspaper clippings from old cases on the walls.

More good will: The SQ HQ is in spitting distance of old Delormier Downs, where Jack Robinson played for the Montreal Royals

The SQ has a horseshoe up its arse

We get in Pierre's car. I ask him what he thinks. The SQ are being realistic and not unreasonable. In Quebec 40% of murders go unsolved. In the outlying regions the numbers are as high as 70%. Montreal alone has over 600 cold cases. Quebec police need to play catch-up. Still, progress is being made. In the days following Cedricka Provencher's disappearance precious time was wasted because the SQ could not agree on how to treat the matter. She was a missing person; nothing criminal there, she could have been a runaway. Now the laws have changed. Today in Quebec when someone goes missing, police must treat it as a criminal matter until it is established that there was no foul-play.

The lecture at the University of Montreal is at 7:00 pm. Pierre quickly rushes to the classroom to set up his PowerPoint presentation. The professor, Philippe Bensimon who specializes in criminologie and prison research, is sympathetic to Pierre's cause, but his focus is not Victimology - Pierre hopes to score a few converts.

The class is about 40 students, predominately women. Pierre takes the time to shake the hand of every single student. I first think this is over kill, until he later explains he's taking a piece of their energy to prep himself for the lecture (hence AFPAD's signature lapel ribbon which is yellow to represent light). Pierre spends about 1 1/2 hours documenting the history of AFPAD - the death of his two daughters, the start of the movement with 4 fathers, growth to where it now represents 420 families (about 2,000 members), policy changes for victims' rights in Quebec. Some of the students are not on board with the cause. They claim even more money should be spent for rehabilitation of criminals. Pierre challenges them to the point of alienation. I starting thinking, "woah, he's losing them", but then later realize for every one he loses he gains about 3 - 4 converts to victimology. Clever.

A brisk 90 minute drive to Sherbrooke. We arrive around 10:30 pm in time for dinner. Pierre's wife, Diane has made pasta. Pierre finishes it off with a meat sauce made with sausage. I should mention that Pierre is a really good cook. I've eaten with him many times and he can take anything and make it into something tasty. Wine over dinner. I learn Pierre has a masters degree in public administration, just like me. We stay up late talking about public policy, especially government financing and public-private partnerships like the Montreal hospital and the PEI bridge (it's an area that fascinates me because, one way or another, the people are always dealt a losing hand).

We rise early and proceed to Lennoxville for the press conference at Champlain college. Breakfast at McDonald's (which is surprisingly good). Pierre informs me that he will not address the press at the conference; there is already a controversy looming over Harper's decision to charge 14-year-old offenders as adults and Pierre does not want to steal focus. Still, between McDonalds and the press conference he has time to dial in to a radio show and offer his opinion on the matter: let them be jailed at 14 and in so doing take them out of society during a violent offenders most productive years (teens to 25). Besides, it's not like a life sentence in Canada is anything more than 15 years in prison.

To his word, at the press conference Pierre is silent and respectful and does not steal focus. When a reporter from the Tribune asks what he is doing there, Pierre answers that he's attending to lend support to a friend, and fellow member of AFPAD. He then recounts for the report the story of how we both met in Hull, Quebec on the eve of the Federal government's first victims conference (the one where no victims were invited), and how it took an American (me) to inform him that his government was actually hosting such a conference.

You guessed it: the press conference was held in this room. Life has a delicious sense of irony, doesn't it?

Pierre leaves me for the afternoon with Champlain representatives. Later he picks me up in his convertible and we drive back into Sherbrooke. Along the way he is blasting songs from early 2000 (Steve Earle, Kidd Rock). This isn't Pierre's music... "Julie's tape?", I ask... Pierre smiles. And it's comforting to know I'm not the only one clinging to memories.

We meet back at the house and decide on dinner arrangements. Should we go out for seafood or stay in and have baked oysters? I say go for the baked oysters. We leave the house to buy some at the local market. The seafood guy is this old French guy, really funny. Up until now I've been able to follow along with the French pretty good, but the conversation between these two? I couldn't catch a word.

Lac Memphremegog: nothing finer

Home and Pierre and I share a beer while shucking about 4 dozen oysters. Pierre's recipe... I'm not telling. It's too good. Let's just say it involves oysters, butter, cheese and a lot of good wine. He's actually made it for me before, but I don't tell him this... it's so good!

A lot of good conversation over dinner about AFPAD and future goals, the rest of Canada... how the victims movement can't seem to get its act together, the election. Later Pierre and Diane pull out their photos from a vacation in Costa Rica. Hundreds of photos of birds. No I wasn't bored, I love birds... it's something Diane and I have in common. A fine evening. At about 9:30 pm Pierre drives me to the Delta hotel where I am meeting my party. We hug and say goodbye, for now. Pierre tells me I need to come to Quebec at least once every year, if only to meet with the police and keep them honest. And so I will.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Easy to give

I know, I know... you say, "Ya I'll give something, just not now" or, "But I don't have much to give, what difference will it make?"

A big difference. And no contribution is too small - $5, $10, $25... will make you a pioneer participant in the Theresa Allore Memorial Fund endowment, and allow future students to benefit from educational subsidies.

This week consider making your contribution.

You can now donate directly to the Theresa Allore Memorial Fund using PayPal right now:

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Happy Birthday to You

Well it's October 12th and that can only mean one thing: Happy Birthday Theresa, you would have turned 49 (wow that seems old!). My dad recently told me Theresa's favorite meal was Chef Boyardee Ravioli or Beefaroni (no accounting for taste, but we're talking a 19-year-old here). Served with toast.

Sorry T, but I'm not gonna have that meal in your honor. Since it's also Thanksgiving in Canada, probably some turkey or something. Anyways...

You can now donate directly to the Theresa Allore Memorial Fund using PayPal:

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Now Accepting PayPal Donations

Rossmo's Criminal Investigative Failures set for release

Advanced praise is coming in for Kim Rossmo's book, Criminal Investigative Failures, for which I contributed a chapter:

This topic is vitally important for not only understanding the causes and prevention of failures, but for understanding and measuring success.—John Eck, University of Cincinnati, Department of Criminal Justice

The concepts and strategies outlined in this book are invaluable for helping to accomplish an investigator’s primary objective: ‘find the truth.’ For those of us who care deeply about investigative excellence and justice, particularly police investigators, this book is a ‘must read.’ —Doug A. LePard, Deputy Chief Commanding Investigation Division, Vancouver Police Department, Canada,

The book outlines realistic strategies for avoiding investigative pitfalls including:

· Cognitive biases, such as tunnel vision, that lead to mistakes in reasoning· Organizational traps, such as groupthink, that investigators fall prey to within their agencies· Probability errors, such as the prosecutor’s fallacy, in forensic science and criminal profiling

The Dangers of Assumptions and Organizational Ego (Gee, I wonder who that refers to?)

Saturday, October 04, 2008

Terry Dimonte on Q92 talks scholarship

If you haven't already done so, contributions to the Theresa Allore Memorial Fund can be made to one of two foundations in the United States and Canada. When you make a gift you will receive the full tax advantages available by law for gifts to public charities in the United States and Canada.